Garmin Fenix 5 available now on Amazon, what’s new and different
We’ve been patiently waiting for the next iteration in the Fenix series for over 18 months now. To our delight, Garmin announced not one, but three new watches at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. Although not shipping yet, it shouldn’t bee too long as the ultimate outdoor adventuring watch is now available on Amazon.
Here is what’s new and different with Garmin Fenix 5.
New Sizes
One of the most talked about design features of the Fenix 3 line was its bulkiness. Unsurprisingly, this was especially unappealing to female users considering their smaller sized wrists. This year, its all about making the Fenix series more appealing to a broad userbase.
The new line packs bumped up specs into a slightly slimmer body. You can now choose between multiple models that vary in size to fit every wrist and every workout.
The series includes the Fenix 5, a more compact version of the Fenix 3 HR (diameter is down from 51mm to 47mm), that still packs in all the sensors we’ve come to expect from the range. This includes an optical heart rate sensor, GPS and GLONASS, multisport and daily activity tracking functionality, and the ability to show smartphone notifications.
 | Garmin Fenix 5 |  |
The 5S is Garmin’s first Fenix watch designed with the female sports enthusiast in mind. It sports a smaller footprint for smaller wrists (42mm diameter), without compromising on any multisport features. Finally, the Fenix 5X packs even more functionality, but sports a larger, 51mm diameter.
All three watches are rated to 100-meter water resistance and come in a variety of stainless steel finishes and colorful watch band combinations. There is also a a WiFi enabled scratch-resistant sapphire lens version.
The screen is still the transflective LCD from the Fenix 3, but its gone through a few tweaks and is more sharp and vibrant now. The display has gone from 218×218 pixels to 240×240 pixels (except 5S, which stays at 218×218), while the colors have increased to 64, from 16 on Fenix 3.
Interchangeable Bands
The next generation Fenix also comes equipped with new QuickFit bands, which let users change between formal leather or metal bands to silicone bands.
No tools are required to make the transformation. Just swap, click and go.
Golfing
Featuring a wide variety of sport profiles, including running, biking, swimming, hiking, triathlons, climbing, skiing, rowing and paddle boarding, the Fenix line has become a preference for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. A wearable for those who are into multi sports and want to be able to track everything.
The Golf mode now gives you yardage to the front, back and middle of the green for any single course you’ve downloaded. It also adds enhancements such as stat tracking (fairways hit, etc.), Green View, AutoShot detection and auto measure. Garmin has also added mountain biking, and separated some categories such as ski and snowboard, and treadmill and indoor track.
Mapping
The Fenix 5X is the daddy of the three, and is the only one that comes pre-loaded with topographical maps of the US. The watch uses satellite signals to provide route mapping and current location.
There are also some more advanced features. The Round-trip Run and Round-trip Ride routing options give runners and cyclists the ability to enter a distance they want to travel and have the watch suggest appropriate courses. The Around Me feature displays locations of interest nearby in a simplified graphical interface. GroupTrack allows you to keep tabs on your buddies.
Longer battery life
The Fenix 5 can run for about two weeks in smartwatch mode and a day with GPS switched on. Owing to its smaller size, the Fenix 5S has the shortest battery life of the lot, 8 days in smartwatch mode and 13 hours when using GPS. Finally, the Fenix 5X comes with a battery that keeps going for 12 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours with GPS switched on.
For comparison purposes, the Fenix 3 HR is good up to 16 hours in GPS training mode, and up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode (with 24/7 HR monitoring).
Price and release date
Garmin is sitting on a winner here. Its come out with much more of an everyday device, not just one you wear when it’s time get get active.
The watches are available on Garmin’s website, and now on Amazon as well.
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